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Posts by Andy Turpin

How Do You Fight Mold and Mildew?

Over the weekend, docks in the Bay Area were bustling with activity, as we were blessed by two splendid, sunny days, after enduring weeks of almost nonstop rainstorms. Not surprisingly, one of the dominant topics of conversation heard between slip neighbors was, "How are you coping with mold and mildew?" More »

Obama Harnesses the Trade Winds

Ex-president Barack Obama was all smiles after successfully learning to kiteboard in the BVI’s Gorda Sound — for which he scores big points in our book. © 2017 Jack Brockway / Virgin.com More »

Have You Checked for Chafe?

When a boat washes up on Bay Area shorelines it is the owner’s legal responsibility to remove it. If that’s not possible, taxpayers have to shoulder the burden.  © 2017 If you’ve been praying for more rain, please stop. More »

Tell Us What You Really Think

During Latitude 38’s early years one of the most challenging editorial efforts was reporting on the December 1982 storm that devastated the Cabo San Lucas anchorage. Days afterward, cruisers were still digging out salvageable hulls.  More »

Fire Aboard: Every Boater’s Nightmare

Boat fires can be devastating to life and property. This one, which occurred in upper Santa Cruz Harbor Tuesday, caused a half-million dollars worth of damage. © 2017 KSBW8 TV Although the exact cause of Tuesday morning’s roaring, three-boat fire at Santa Cruz Harbor has not yet been officially released — an unattended space heater is suspected — the stunning incident should serve as a warning to all West Coast boaters and marina operators.  More »

A Celebration of Both Sail and Power

All this writer wants for Christmas is a rowing/sailing gaffer from Gig Harbor Boat Works. Sweet!  latitude/Andy
©2017Latitude 38 Media, LLC With the recent announcement that Sail America’s annual Bay Area boat show will include powerboats this year, some sailors dissed the idea as an unwelcome dilution of what had always been an exclusively sail-focused event. More »

Where’s Your Fave Small-Boat Launch?

From recent research we’ve learned that many longtime California sailors were introduced to the sport aboard small, simple-to-master boats such as Sunfish, El Toros and Lasers, which were launched off public beaches or launch ramps.  More »

Three Sailors Rescued off Hawaii

We don’t know yet why the 48-ft sailboat Bobo Link sank Wednesday less than three miles off the Big Island of Hawaii — conditions on the scene appear to have been calm at the time — but the incident brings to light several important reminders for all offshore sailors. More »